Where & when can a marriage license be obtained?

Fees

The fee for obtaining a marriage license is $30.00. The license may be used immediately within the State of Colorado and is valid for 35 days from the date of issue.

Parental Consent

Legal age without parental consent is 18 for both persons. If under the age of 18 and over the age of 16, written and notarized consent signed by both parents (or parent having legal custody), or legal guardian is required. A Judicial Court Order from the court of jurisdiction is required of anyone under the age of 16.

Identification

Proof of Identity and Age: In order to issue a Marriage or Civil Union License,we must have valid proof of age and identity. The following forms of identification are acceptable for age. A photo ID is required for identification (C.R.S. 14-2-105, 14-15-109 & 24-72.1-101).

Any valid Colorado driver license or Colorado identification card.

A valid Out of state issued photo driver license or identification card.

Valid US Military ID (active duty, dependent, retired, reserve, or National Guard).

Original or certified copy of US Military separation papers (DD214) from the Department of Defense or Veteran Affairs. Any DD214 marked with the disclaimer “Not to be used for identification” is not acceptable.

Tribal identification card.

United States or United States Territory Certified court order of adoption (must include date of birth).

Apply in Person

Both persons should be present to apply for the license. If this is not possible, one party must appear with a completed, notarized absentee affidavit (provided by the Clerk's office) as well as a copy of approvedidentification for the absent party. Applicants for a marriage license need not be Colorado residents.

Proxy Marriage

Pursuant to C.R.S. 14-2-109, Colorado allows for proxy marriages. One party must appear with a completed, notarized absentee affidavit and a by proxy affidavit (provided by the Clerk's office) as well as a copy of approved identification for the absent party. The following requirements must also be met:

The absent party must be a member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in another country or in another state in support of combat or another military operation; or

The absent party must be a government contractor, or an employee of a government contractor, working in support of the armed forces of the United States in another country or in another state or in support of United States military operations in another country or in another state.

One party is a resident of Colorado.

One party appears in person to apply for the marriage license and pays the required fees.

The signatures of both parties to the proxy marriage are required, and the party present shall sign the marriage license application and provide an absentee affidavit form containing the notarized signature of the absent party, along with proper identification documents required for a marriage license for the absent party.

Marriage Solemnization

Marriages may be solemnized by judges, retired judges, magistrates,Indian tribe officials and clergy (ordained/recognized to lawfully perform marriages, out-of-state clergy need not be registered in Colorado), or by the couple themselves. Marriage certificates must include the County and location where the marriage took place (licenses must be used in the state of Colorado) , the date of the marriage, the officiating party's signature and title, and both parties to the marriage signatures (witnesses are not required). Completed marriage certificate must be forwarded to the County Clerk and Recorder's office within 63 days after the marriage. Failure to do so may result in late fees.

Prohibitions

One of the parties is still married to another person.

Brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, whether by half or whole blood.

Same sex marriage is permitted in Colorado.

Marriage between cousins is permitted in Colorado.

Marriage Application Copy Request Form

Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-72-204(3)(a)(XIX)(A), copies of marriage applications are to be made available only to either party of the marriage or an immediate family member. Please send the completed and notarized form to: La Plata County Clerk 98 Everett Street Ste C Durango CO 81303.

Age/Guardianship Requirements

Identification

Proof of Identity and Age: In order to issue a Marriage or Civil Union License,we must have valid proof of age and identity. The following forms of identification are acceptable for age. A photo ID is required for identification (C.R.S. 14-2-105, 14-15-109 & 24-72.1-101)

Any valid Colorado driver license or Colorado identification card.

A valid Out of state issued photo driver license or identification card.

Certified birth certificate (Federal, State, County, Dept. of Justice, Dept. of State or Bureau of Indian Affairs) Birth certificates issued by the hospital are NOT acceptable. Social Security number is required when using this proof of age.

US Passport expired less than 10 years

Valid US Military ID (active duty, dependent, retired, reserve, or National Guard)

Original or certified copy of US Military separation papers (DD214) from the Department of Defense or Veteran Affairs. Any DD214 marked with the disclaimer “Not to be used for identification” is not acceptable.

Tribal identification card

United States or United States Territory Certified court order of adoption (must include date of birth)

Apply in person

Both persons should be present to apply for the license. If this is not possible, one party must appear with a completed, notarized absentee affidavit (provided by the Clerk's office) as well as a copy of approved identification for the absent party. Applicants for a civil union license need not be Colorado residents.

Certification

Civil unions may be certified by judges, retired judges, magistrates,Indian tribe officials and clergy (ordained/recognized to lawfully perform marriages, out-of-state clergy need not be registered in Colorado), or by the parties to the civil union. Civil union certificates must include the County and location where the civil union took place, the date of the civil union, the officiating party's signature and title, and both parties' signatures (witnesses are not required). Completed civil union certificate must be forwarded to the County Clerk and Recorder's office within 63 days after the marriage. Failure to do so may result in late fees.

Prohibitions

One of the parties is still married to or in a civil union with another person.

Brother and sister, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, whether by half or whole blood.

One of the parties is under 18 years of age.

Civil Union between cousins is permitted in Colorado.

Civil Union Application Copy Request Form

Per C.R.S. 24-72-204 copies of civil union applications are to be made available only to the parties themselves or an immediate family member. Please send the completed and notarized form to: La Plata County Clerk and Recorder 98 Everett Street Ste C Durango CO 81303